SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.- The William Smith College field hockey team was edged by 17th-ranked Skidmore 1-0 in the Liberty League finale for both teams this afternoon. With the loss, the Herons fall to 12-4 on the season and 4-3 in the Liberty League.
 
Gabby Hyman scored the goal for the Thoroughbreds (12-5, 6-1) in the 25th minute on a fast break opportunity. At the opposite end of the field, Elizabeth Coughlin made a blocker save on Hannah Wood. A Skidmore defender found Hyman in transition. She dribbled the ball down the left side of the field, beat a pair of defenders, and flipped a shot past Emily King's blocker.
 
The Herons had their scoring opportunities, but were unable to solve Coughlin, who finished the game with eight saves. Late in the first half senior Alexandra Frary had a chance to tie the game off a penalty corner but Coughlin kicked away her shot with her left leg pad.
 
King made a single save in 70 minutes of action while Coughlin stopped all eight shots she faced.
 
William Smith finished the game with a 14-4 edge in shots and earned 10 penalty corners to Skidmore's two.
 
With Liberty League play now complete, the Herons are tied for third in the conference with Vassar at 4-3. Because the Brewers defeated William Smith 1-0 in their head-to-head match earlier this month, the Herons will be the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. William Smith will play at top-seeded Rochester in the semifinals on Nov. 1.
 
William Smith will be back in action next Saturday, Oct. 28, when it travels to Grantham, Pa., for a showdown with No. 1 Messiah.